Senate chair calls for changes to health budget

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A top Texas senator says the state must change how it pays for health and human services.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Tommy Williams said Wednesday he doesn't want to cut services to the poor, disabled and elderly. But he said the growing number of people who need services and the rapid inflation in medical costs makes it impossible for the state to keep up without changing the program or raising taxes.

The Republican leadership in Texas has rejected any proposal to raise state revenue, and Gov. Rick Perry has said he wants to cut taxes. Williams said that means lawmakers must cut funding for other programs, such as education, unless they find more efficient ways of paying for health and human services.

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